Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-09-01
CORY ON e,ncr.

Il
Some one, who perhaps argued from
his inner consciousness rather than
from observed facts, once advised
throwing two burrows of sod land
together for corn. and planting on the
ridges. Probably this was never prac-
tically attempted. Few plowmen can
throw two sod burrows together evenly
over field holding the pillow land side
half the time against the air. II it could
be done the benefit would be doubtful.
The corn on the ridge, nourished by a
double thickness of sod, might start
well. but about midsummer the ridges
would be broken down, leaving the
corn too high and dry. Corn roots run
over the entire space between the rows
near the surface, and at the critical ear
ing time they could be drawing on the
sterile, dead burrows and having their
drafts returned dishonored.
MIDSUMMER CHICKENS.
Eggs are not SO good to eat in hot
weather, even when freshly laid. Per-
haps we do not in extreme heat need
so hearty food, though there is also,
doubtless, some deficiency in flavor.
The eggs produced now will not usual
ly hatch out so strong, lively chickens
as those OF the earlier laying. when the
vigor OF the hen was greater. Posi-
bly, the feed has somewhat to do with
it. Farmers who have grain near their
barns can usually get clutch of chick
ems Matched about or little after har-
vest that will be lively and vigorous,
while when the hen has to produce her
| egg day from grass and wheat she can
pick up of innutritious refuse, she will
make an egg accordingly, that will
neither be good for much itself nor
produce vigorous chicken. But when
hens sit ont of doors on the ground
the conditions favor Matching larger
percentage of chicks, even from poor
eggs, than VIC get from better eggs
earlier in the season.
| HOGS KILLING RATTLESNAKEs.
In the Southern. States, in localities
where the rattlesnake abounds. the
hogs running wild in the woods are the
inveterate enemies of this pest. Sows
with young are the fiercest for this
prey, and long practice makes them ex-
pert. The wary porker cautiously
avoids exposing parts of its body where
4 bite would be dangerous or fatal.
Turning IFS TANKS to the reptile, il
allows it 10 strike its fangs into the
ham, which, having no blood-vesscls,
receives the venom without injury.
After two or three 'strokcrs the rattle.
snakes power has gone. Its venom
is exhausted, and it must seerete more
before its bite anywhere could do much
hurt. Then the snake tries 10 get
away, but the pig has earned her prize.
She coolly Kills him and she and bcl
young make n meal of of the carcass.
This is not q very encouraging state
ment for those VIM ,...t Sautharn POI *,
none of which. however, comes North.
Our Northern hogs are usually too wei
fed to take up with such scandalou'
means of getting living, anu we neye,
have heard Of their killing. much les.
eating, snakes of any kind. though il
has been said that when the Western
States were new farmers considered
hogs the best kind of stock to kee,
where rattlers abounded. They were
less likely to be killed by them, and
were help in clearing the land o.
these pests. Before civilization came
deer made war on the rattlcrs, gather
ing their fore feet together and coming
down on the snake while coiled ant
ready to strike. --Am erican CuLtivator